Members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have 281 feature films to choose from when they mark their nomination ballots for best picture.

Those ballots should be in their hands now.

To be eligible for consideration for best picture, films must start playing in a commercial movie theater in Los Angeles County by midnight, tomorrow. And, they have to run at least seven consecutive days.

Other rules: the film has to be longer than 40 minutes and fit a certain technical format.

Five films will be nominated for best picture January 22nd. All the other categories will be revealed that day, too.

I had to do it; there were just too many reviews out there boasting how the ‘Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ is the best movie since … well, EVER.

Reviewers actually might be right; I was incredibly impressed with the visual effects, cinematography, writing and of course acting from Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett.

One thing I didn’t expect was for the film to be three hours long! But also if you think about it, you do have to showcase Benjamin’s entire life. If his life goes backwards, he does have to die in the end – duh!

Other than that detail, I was thoroughly impressed with the story. It was a true educational experience for this aspiring screenwriter. I learned some new tricks I can use. (I hope to eventually write something emotional and as touching as this story.)

My boyfriend pointed out to me later that it was a ‘chick movie.’ I never viewed it as that; I was looking at it purely as an education.

The film is based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I do firmly believe if he was alive today, he too would be impressed with the final result. It’s just that good.

I even spied a continuity error: When Benjamin and Elizabeth? (Tilda Swinton) are in the hotel kitchen drinking tea for the first time there’s a closeup of her with a glass in her hand…it’s full in closeup, but ¼ full in the two-shot.

Even the historical moments are weaved beautifully into the story – from World War I all the way through to Hurricane Katrina. Yes, it’s obvious the guy who wrote ‘Forrest Gump’ penned this film too.